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CNET's Ian Fried reports that computer maker Gateway has become the latest company to kill off its (Linux-based) Web surfing appliance, officially discontinuing the Connected Touch Pad that it developed with America Online. Fried writes . . .

“The unit, which was unveiled last November with a $599 price tag, has been on life support since March, when the company said it was putting its Internet appliance plans on hold.”

“The product had been written off as dead for months, according to analysts. 'Neither Gateway or AOL really pushed it,” IDC analyst Bryan Ma said. 'It was more or less sitting on the back burner. When new management came in (earlier this year), it got pushed off.' ”

“In recent months, the Touch Pad became an increasingly less prominent part of Gateway's sales. The company stopped selling the Touch Pad altogether last month. With the decision, Gateway follows in the footsteps of Sony, Netpliance, and 3Com, all of which have discontinued their Net appliances.”